orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯr-fə-nij 

ˈȯrf-nij

1

: the state of being an orphan

2

: an institution for the care of orphans

Examples of orphanage in a Sentence

After the death of his parents, he was raised in an orphanage.

Recent Examples on the Web

In eastern Congo, mourners bury a 6-month-old Ebola victim, the third child to die at a local orphanage. —Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

During the 18-day excursion, students plan to attend local schools, volunteer at an orphanage, and visit sites including Victoria Falls. —Tania Francois, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Mourners gathered Friday to bury a 6-month-old girl who died from Ebola earlier this week, the third child to die at an orphanage in eastern Congo as authorities have struggled to contain the latest outbreak. —ABC News, 19 June 2026

Meanwhile, Swiss investigator Müller arrives in Boston with a theory that the body found at Matthew’s bed may belong to a missing child from a Payne-run orphanage. —Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

orphan entry 1 + -age, after Middle French orphelinage

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯrf-(ə-)nij 

: an institution for the care of orphans